Designing a Room

Creating Beautiful Space

Recently, I did a post on discovering your personal decorating style; encouraging spaces that reflect the people who live in them, not what is "in style".  Shortly after that post, I received several emails asking "what next", "how do you design a room"? 

So I thought I would break it down into steps (remember, these are guidelines. they work for most rooms)
For this little exercise, we are going to design a living room. In fact, I am going to use one of my favorite rooms, the living room from the movie It's Complicated as an example.
Remember, this post is about the elements that go into designing a room not the style of the room.

Step #1- Start at the bottom: A rug grounds a room. Make sure it is large enough to comfortably accommodate all of the furniture. The exception is the sofa: the rug can go all the way under the sofa or up to the front. In this room all of the furniture fits easily on the rug.


Step #2 - Decide on the focal point:  In the It's Complicated living room the focal point is the fireplace. No fireplace? A large piece of furniture will work, as will a sofa with an art grouping or mirror hung above.

Step #3 - Group the furniture: The furniture should be grouped around the focal point. An easy formula I often use for rectangle rooms is 1 sofa, 2 matching upholstered chairs to one side of the sofa, 1 accent chair on the other side of the sofa (can be upholstered in a different fabric or not upholstered at all), 1 coffee table (shape and size depend on shape of arrangement and size of seating pieces), 2 small side tables one between the matching chairs and the other beside the accent chair, and an ottoman or small bench. When possible I like to add a little wood furniture - a secretary, chest of drawers, or console table. These pieces also offer good storage


Step #4 - Lighting! Use table lamps behind the sofa, when possible. Also try to light each corner or side of a room: table lamps on one side table and console, a floor lamp, and/or a small lamp on bookshelves.

Step #5 - Window Treatments.  Consider privacy, light control, and decor. Drapes add drama (please make sure they are long enough and wide enough). They can be paired with bamboo or woven shades for texture. Note, in the It's Complicated room, they have both drapes and a woven shade. Don't be afraid to mix it up.


Step #6 - Throw Pillows. This is the bling in most living rooms.  Throw pillows are the glue that ties a room together and makes you want to sit and stay a while.

Step #7 - Art and Mirrors. Create groupings that are large enough to balance the furniture.

Step #8 - Accessories. Try to accessorize with things you love. Include books, they warm up a space.



A few notes when designing a room:

 MEASURE!!! MEASURE!! and MEASURE! 
 Please don't purchase a sofa, a rug, drapes, or anything else without measuring at least 3 times. For sofas, do not forget to measure depth. A rug? It should be large enough to comfortably accommodate all of your furniture. Drapes? From floor to ceiling. Check out my post on Measuring for Curtains - Drape Tutorial.


When possible float your furniture!  Do not push it up against the walls. Because... you don't want your room to look like this. Furniture pulled out from walls is more inviting.


Every seat should have a table, large enough to set a glass, within reach (without stretching).